FLYIN' HIGH:
Dwight Hardy's scoring average has risen from 10.5 to a team-best 15.5 points per game since become the Red Storm's point guard.AP

The circus that has evolved around the Nets truly becomes a three-ring affair tonight.

In the center ring will be billionaire Russian owner Mikhail Prokhorov, who is in the country for the Nets’ “Evening of Russian Culture,” but presumably also to seek a meeting with Carmelo Anthony if the Nets and Nuggets finalize the framework of a trade and if permission is granted to speak with the star about signing an extension.

Those trade discussions comprise one sideshow ring as Nets and Nuggets execs seek to finish the three-team deal.

In the third ring, the 10-31 Nets play a game, facing the Utah Jazz to numerically kick off the second half of the season. But games have taken secondary status to the NBA’s continuing soap opera, the chase for Carmelo.

Prokhorov, expected to be around for at least Friday’s game with Detroit as well (he has other obligations in Russia that make his presence unlikely on Saturday), is scheduled to address the media before the game. It will be interesting to see what he says. Unless there is a major shift in the trade talks or Denver gives permission to talk to Anthony, Prokhorov can’t really discuss the situation. Anthony is under contract. He could always discuss the merits of borscht.

As for any scheduled meetings, one source who should know claimed he was unaware of anything planned. A spokesperson for Prokhorov declined to acknowledge when he was arriving or departing.

On the other front, suffice to say talks continue.

On the third front, suffice to say the season will continue, too.

“Work in progress. Best way to put it. We’re still trying to figure it out,” said Jordan Farmar, who also claimed the Nets are seeking an identity.

Beyond the one of “The Team That Has Courted Carmelo Forever or At Least Since September.”

The optimism that surrounded the trade front seems to have waned. Coach Avery Johnson, the only member of the Nets’ hierarchy who has spoken publicly about the situation, has promised the team that played on the 0-4 road trip would be the team on hand tonight and again Friday.

Johnson, who also said he knew of no planned meeting with Anthony, steadfastly has maintained his concern is with what he has and how to make it better.

“Most of the games, they’ve played their hearts out. Sometimes, with much more talented teams, the talent took over. Or experience. And we lost,” Johnson said.

“Sometimes, we beat ourselves. So, hopefully, in the next 41 games . . . we can really take a look at some of the things that [have] been our Achilles heel in the first half and improve on them going into the second half.”